11 Interesting Facts about Albania

Albania is still considered a hidden gem, but our guess is that it won’t be for much longer because it's being visited every year by a high number of tourists. To help new tourists to know exactly what to expect before they are here, below we are listing 11 interesting facts about Albania. - One of the oldest cities on the continent and in Albania, Shkodra has no traffic lights at all, not even one. - Albania has the highest number of bunkers build in it, around 750.000 across the country. These were originally built during the rule of Enver Hoxha in case of an invasion. - The Albanian language is very special, while it is classified as a European language, it has several different dialects, with the most common being Geg and Tosk. - Do not worry if you get a slap on your neck after you have had a haircut, it's nothing personal, it's just a blessing. - Albania is home to more than 3250 different types of plants, that’s around 30% of Europe’s entire plant collection! That means Nature is very important in Albania. - 70% of the territory in Albania is occupied by mountains. You will find great spots for hiking and will see some unforgettable views they offer. - Albania has been under Ottoman rule, then Italian rule, then communists, Russian, Chinese, and then achieved independence. That’s some history and one of the most interesting facts about Albania. - Mother Teresa is actually Albanian and she is also the only Albanian ever to win a Nobel prize. - Albania is home to 91 endangered species of wildlife, including the Dalmatian Pelican, is also home to Europe’s largest oil reserves, and is also the producer of Copper, coal, and nickel. - Albania is home to Europe’s oldest lake, Ohrid. There are many fossils at the bottom, and it has a UNESCO tag for protection. It has also 13 small islands but only 2 of them are larger than a square km. - After dinner, most locals go for an evening walk (known as ‘xhiro’) with their friends and family.